Mobile apartments - AvtoTachki

You can travel along them without looking for housing and without worrying about free places in boarding houses. It's just that it's expensive.

There are thousands of caravanning enthusiasts in Poland, but a much larger group of people are engaged in caravans and camping in private, without joining clubs. The number of such users is steadily growing, and the demand for motorhomes is growing. So what can those who decide to relax in a “mobile apartment” find on the domestic market?

The art of choosing

The main decision should be between a caravan and a motorhome, i.e. an autonomous vehicle with a caravan design. The trailer in the basic version is much cheaper. The lowest class, but a brand new caravan with 3-4 beds can be bought for only PLN 20. The cheapest mobile home with a decent level of equipment and accommodation for 000 people costs about PLN 4.

Each of the solutions has additional advantages and disadvantages, so the purchase must be carefully considered. Driving with a trailer is much more difficult, maneuvering and parking are also troublesome. But by placing it and disconnecting it from the car, we can go around the territory with the car without additional ballast. A caravan, besides being cheaper (with the exception of exclusive models), is better suited for a long stay in one place. The mobile home is more mobile, great for frequent changes of location. Maneuvering and parking have also become easier.

You also need to be mindful of the formal requirements. Not everyone can drive a big trailer. Holders of a driving license of category “B” are allowed to drive a road train with a trailer, the permitted permissible mass (PMT) of which does not exceed 750 kg, with the PMT of the tractor 3500 kg or less (in extreme cases, the PMT of the set is 4250 kg).

However, if the TMP of the trailer exceeds 750 kg, then, firstly, it cannot be greater than the own weight of the tractor, and secondly, the TMP of the composition cannot exceed 3500 kg. If it is exceeded, a driver's license of category B + E is required (the condition remains that the PMT of the trailer Mobile apartments does not exceed the load limit of the tractor, which in practice allows you to move with a load limit of 7000 kg). You can usually drive a motorhome with a valid category B driver's license in your pocket, as most of them are cars with a gross weight of no more than 3500 kg. Heavier ones require a category C driver's license.

Trailers and campers

Caravans are usually categorized by size, but this is also related to the number of beds and equipment. The smallest have one axis and are 4-4,5 m long. Inside you will find 3-4 beds, a small toilet, a modest shower, a sink and a small stove. Medium ones also usually have one axis, a length of 4,5 - 6 m, from 4 to 5 beds, internal division into rooms, a more comfortable kitchen and a bathroom with a boiler (hot water).

Due to their considerable weight, large two-axle trailers are often equipped according to individual recommendations. They are even more expensive than middle-class campsites, but as standard they have separate bedrooms for 4-6 people, a full kitchen, heating, air conditioning and even satellite TV.

Camp vehicles are based on small vans and mid-range delivery vans. The smallest and most modest (capacity 2 people) have bodies made, for example, on the basis of Peugeot Partner or Renault Kangoo. They are also slightly larger, designed for 3-4 people (Mercedes Vito, Volkswagen Transporter), but part of the structure is made in the form of a tent (for example, a raised roof with a bedroom). Larger and more comfortable, with sleeping places for 4-7 people. Mobile apartments people, created on the basis of Ford Transit, Renault Master, Fiat Ducato and Peugeot Boxer.

Even the most popular motorhomes cost around PLN 130-150 thousand. PLN, thermally insulated, equipped with a refrigerator, gas stove, sink, gas heating, boiler, clean and dirty water tanks with a capacity of more than 100 liters.

A motor home, like a caravan, does not have to be bought, it can be rented. However, the price is comparable to the cost of living in guesthouses. During the summer season you will have to pay between PLN 350 and 450 per night with a daily mileage limit of 300 km.

You don't need to own a caravan or motorhome to caravan. The network of companies renting this type of transport is functioning effectively. However, rent is expensive. During the season, a modest caravan for 3 people costs PLN 40 per night, larger ones cost even PLN 60-70 per night. For luxury caravans for 4-6 people, you need to spend PLN 100-140 per night. Some companies require a deposit of several hundred PLN, others a one-time surcharge of PLN 30 for toilet chemicals.

However, this is nothing compared to the cost of renting a motorhome. Their most modest versions cost from PLN 300 per night in the off-season to PLN 400 in season. In the most luxurious options, the cost increases accordingly to 400-500 zł. Fuel is paid by the tenant. Some of Mobile apartments companies set a daily mileage limit of 300-350 km, and after it is exceeded, they charge PLN 0,50 for each subsequent kilometer. The minimum rental period in the high season is usually 7 days, in the off-season - 3 days. The deposit for the motorhome is up to several thousand PLN (usually 4000 PLN). You should not be late with the return of the car, as fines reach 50 PLN for each hour outside the contract.

The highest fee is charged when the renter returns the motorhome late without notifying the rental company. 6 hours after the expiration of the contract, the police receive a report about the theft, and the amount of PLN 10 is debited from the tenant's account. Both caravans and motorhomes are registered and insured in Poland, but you can travel with them throughout the European Union. Some Eastern European countries (Russia, Lithuania, Ukraine, Belarus) are usually banned from leaving.

Everywhere you have to bear the cost of living in campsites or campsites. They are very diverse, depending on the region of our country and the prestige of the place in a particular region. Camping in Gdansk charges PLN 13-14 per night for setting up a caravan and PLN 15 per night for a motorhome. In Zakopane, prices can reach PLN 14 and 20, respectively, and in Jelenia Góra - PLN 14 and 22. The most expensive is in Masuria. In Mikołajki you need to take into account the prices of 21 and 35 zł.

For the use of electricity you need to pay extra PLN 8-10 per night. Camping is not much cheaper. The fee for caravans is on average 10-12 PLN per night, and for campers 12-15 PLN per night. In each case, you need to add PLN 5 to 10 / 24 hours per person staying in a caravan or motorhome. In well-known tourist regions of Europe, for example, in Italy or France, the cost of setting up a caravan is 10 euros, and motorhomes - 15 euros per day. The cost of living for each person is 5-10 euros, and the use of electricity is 4-5 euros per day.

The art of management

Driving a motorhome does not cause much problems, although for inexperienced drivers it can be quite a challenge. They are big and heavy cars and driving them is like driving a loaded truck.

The trailer is much worse. To eliminate the risk of an accident, you need to take care of a durable, certified towbar (in the European Union it must be dismantled if you are not towing a trailer), good technical condition (loose wheels or too small tire tread pattern can quickly lead to an accident), additional documents (trailers require insurance , and with a PMT of more than 750 kg also technical tests), competent distribution of luggage (one-sided loading or too little load on the hook will cause the trailer to become unstable). Brake performance when driving with braked trailer can be even 70% worse. Acceleration also worsens, so it becomes more difficult to overtake.

When cornering, you need to remember to "overlap" the trailer inward, and on steep descents, only engine braking in the desired gear guarantees safety. You need to drive smoothly and avoid sudden maneuvers. Sudden braking or turning can cause the trailer to tip over. When towing a caravan on a normal road, we can drive no more than 70 km/h, and on a two-lane road 80 km/h.

Comparison of the cost of family accommodation 2 + 1 (child up to 4 years) in PLN

Location	Hotel (3 stars)	*Guest house Home hotel * inexpensive hotel * Guest house**	Camper	Trailer caravan
Gdansk	450	250	34	29
Zakopane	400	300	50	44
Elenegurskiy	350	150	57	49
Mrągowo	210	160	75	41
Swinoujscie	300	230	71	71
Vetlina	230	100	34	34
Azure coast	400 *	300 *	112 *	95 *

* Average prices in euros converted at the exchange rate of the National Bank of Poland on May 14.05.2008, 3,42 PLN XNUMX

Selected caravans on the Polish market

Model	Length total (m)	number of seats sleeping places	VHI (kg)	Price (PLN)
Nevyadov N 126n	4,50	3+1*	750	22 500
Nevyadov N 126nt	4,47	2	750	24 500
Adria Altea 432PX	5,95	4	1100	37 **
Hobby Excellent 540 UFe	7,37	4	1500	58 560
Adria Adiva 553 PH	7,49	4	1695	78 **

* Three adults and a child

Individual campers offered on the Polish market

Model	car base	ENGINE	номер MAYS sleeping places	VHI (kg)	Price (PLN)
From a tripartite space	Renault Trafic	2.0 DCI (turbodiesel, 90 km)	4	2700	132 160*
Sky 20	Ford Transit	2.2 TDCi (turbodiesel, 110 km)	7	3500	134 634*
Coral Sport A 576 DC	Fiat Ducato	2.2 JTD (turbodiesel, 100 km)	6	3500	161 676*
Sky 400	Ford Transit	2.4 TDCi (turbodiesel, 140 km)	7	3500	173 166*
Vision I 667 SP	Master Renault	2.5 DCI (turbodiesel, 115 km)	4	3500	254 172*